DEAR EDITOR:
I would like to have the opportunity to express my answers posed
by the Gilroy First! forum.
DEAR EDITOR:
I would like to have the opportunity to express my answers posed by the Gilroy First! forum. I hope other candidates are offered an opportunity to print their response to the Gilroy First! questions in your pages, and I strongly urge them to submit their responses.
I also strongly believe that Gilroy residents and your readership are being done a great disservice if they are not allowed the opportunity to read other candidates’ views, regardless if they participated in the Gilroy First! forum or not. The public should be given the opportunity to read about the views of all the candidates participating in the forum, not just the ones who refuse to attend. I don’t think candidates who are afraid to look the voters in the eye and express their opinions should be rewarded with exclusive access to your pages.
So here are my answers:
1. In these tight budget times, as council member or mayor you will be asked to make some tough choices. What are you absolutely committed to protecting?
I will strive to protect vital public services such as public safety (fire and police protection) and the council’s ability to promote economic development. Without a stable local economy and the revenue generated from it, it is difficult to provide the level of fire and police protection our residents need and deserve.
2. Gilroy has some citizens who are politically active and many others who are disconnected from the political process. What specific steps would you take to make sure you are hearing from the full range of people who live in Gilroy?
For the past six weeks I have been going door-to-door meeting residents and asking them about their concerns and issues. I have targeted those who have historically voted and those who have not. I remind every voter I have made contact with that their vote and voice counts regardless of who they support and what they believe in. I also remind them that only 25 percent of Gilroy’s registered voters voted in the last city council election, that a strong democracy is based on civic and voter participation, and that their issues and concerns will not be heard if they do not participate in the electoral process.
Overall, I tell voters and residents that their vote and voice is important and that, I, as a council member, will maintain contact with them, want to hear their opinion, and that I will not let the divisive politics and view points as seen in the letters to the editor printed in The Dispatch destroy the “community” in our “community” of Gilroy.
3. In the past in Gilroy, economic incentives for development have been controversial. Under what circumstances would you support incentives for development and when would you not support them?
I will not support incentives for development where a developer can’t guarantee a revenue stream. I will not accept an outdated and “in-house” analysis provided by the beneficiary of the city’s tax dollars. I am also proud to say that I was the only member on the planning commission who expressed concerns and voted against the $5 million incentive awarded to Newman Development Group because the economic analysis report was: (1) outdated; (2) did not disclose how such an incentive and retail project would impact existing local jobs, businesses, and the environment; and (3) illustrate the benefits to the community.
My professional experience (I am former San Jose Planner, a member on the Planning Commission for almost three years, now work privately in the land-use and development arena, and hold a graduate degree in city planning from Berkeley) has also shown me that cities with a reputation as a profitable and viable retail destination point do not need to roll out the “red carpet” to potential new businesses by providing economic incentives.
Experience has shown me that the only incentive these communities, like Gilroy, need to provide is the opportunity to locate in this viable market place such as the retail outlets area. At most, Gilroy is now at the point of retail development where incentives may not be necessary.
As stated previously, incentives should only be awarded if a revenue stream can be guaranteed, if an incentive is a must to attract a new business, if quality jobs with livable wages and medical benefits are provided, and if it doesn’t undermine existing local businesses.
4. What measures would you put in place to ensure funding for parks, recreation areas, and open space in and around Gilroy? How do you feel about the possibility of Gilroy joining the Santa Clara County Open Space authority?
Existing city policy requires developers to pay impact fees for park construction. I aim to promote a stricter city policy where developers build a neighborhood park as soon as a project is a completed while tracking paid impact fees to ensure such funds go towards actual park construction.
All of our neighborhoods, new and old, deserve park and recreational areas. I am in support of Gilroy joining the Open Space Authority, a potential resource to help fund new park construction.
5. What is your job growth program? What types of jobs should we be trying to bring to Gilroy, and what would you do to attract them?
Gilroy needs jobs, quality jobs, with adequate wages and decent benefits. As such, Gilroy needs to continue to advertise to developers, corporations, and investors of the vast amount of vacant lands for industrial and retail uses located within our urban service area to create new businesses and jobs. This plan may involve continuing the existing economic strategies promoted by the city and may include forging new relationships with other cities, chambers of commerce, and developers who can aid in promoting responsible economic development.
Overall, my professional experience in the land-use planning and development arena will allow me to pinpoint and recruit potential new retailers, light-manufacturing and high-tech companies, and other quality jobs to Gilroy.
Paul Correa,
candidate for Gilroy City Council
Submitted Thursday, Sept. 18 to [email protected]
